By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a pan-African students movement, has blamed the EndSARS protest for nationwide increase in crime and criminality.

The President of PSM, Mr Bestman Okereafor, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Enugu on the state of the nation.

According to him, it is very disheartening that the EndSARS protest has done more harm than good, considering the rate of robbery, killings, kidnapping, cult clashes among several others which had drastically increased nationwide.

“These monsters are becoming unbearable for the average Nigerian masses.

“Thousands of our previously employed youths have been rendered unemployed, while thousands of hardened and notorious criminals have found their ways into the society,” he said.

He said that it was imperative for all stakeholders and civil society groups to come together and speak in one voice, basically aimed at building the confidence and morale of officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force.

“Even as we look forward to see a decent, diligent, selfless and proactive force with strict adherence to international best practices,” he said.

Okereafor, however, called on Nigerian youths and students, who remain ever progressive, to stay away from crime and violence capable of jeopardizing their future.

He said that it should however be noted that the continuous ASUU strike remained a key issue affecting not only the students but the country as a whole.

According to him, our students are being exposed and influenced negatively on a daily basis.

“PSM is therefore urging the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency see to the demands of ASUU, while we are also imploring ASUU to consider the future of Nigerian students,” he said.

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